April A Note from our Pastor, Bill Russell. Our Heartfelt Thanks

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1 April 2015 A Note from our Pastor, Bill Russell Our Heartfelt Thanks As you can see the damage to the windows was extensive and we are still getting estimates for what will be a very specialist repair. However we have been blessed with donations specifically for this repair work and these donations will, we believe, cover the cost of the repairs. Donors include: F & H Schute, M Hoback-McDow, R McDow Jewellers, B & H Padgett, Joel Hobson III, R Ireland and Joe Spake. We have also received anonymous donations. Thank you to you all. You have enabled us to cover the costs of this vandalism without having to dip into funds set aside for our Outreach or Community programs It is very sad that the stone, and other projectile, thrown through our beautiful windows is what made the local news. It is very thrilling that the response from God's gracious people is so generous, but, sadly, there is no public news of that response. We hear, on television, the evil; we do not hear the good. It is not reported that many people, not a part of our Central family, stepped forward and covered the cost of repair and refurbishment of our windows. At Easter we hear the Good News: Christ defeated death. Death has no victory, its sting is diminished to nothing. We, as His disciples, cannot depend upon any other source to spread that glorious news. We are commissioned to tell of God's love through His Son and the miracle of the Resurrection. Two broken windows, paid for through the love of God's people. Eternal life, paid for by God's love for you. How do YOU share the story? Easter Sunday, 10:45. It's not about eggs and bunnies; it's about eternity. See you then! Bill

2 Spotlight on Giving On Palm Sunday George Goodnight shared this Offertory Thought with us: Going through these days of the Easter season, we remember that Jesus rode on a donkey, he ate a last supper with his disciples, and he gave the upper room discourse before his death. But have you ever stopped to consider that someone donated that donkey, that meal, that room. Think of how many people served Jesus and his cause, and without them, his work would not have been able to be accomplished. They had the highest honor possible in ministering to the lord Jesus himself, and their reward was in knowing that their work was for him. We often have that same privilege to help in God s work. We donate money and time for the upkeep of the church, we send funds to the week of compassion, we have our Easter offering, and we feed the hungry and provide for the poor. Remember again, we come not to be served, but to serve. Editor s Note IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE BANNER BY CONTACT GEORGE GOODNIGHT AT or by at: wesalsdadd@hotmail.com. Editor: John Bennett Memorials and Honorariums In addition to the donations toward repairing our stained glass, detailed on the front page, we have been further blessed with Memorial Donations, in honor of Jack Artman, from Amy and Tim McCaffery, Bill Russell, Patricia A Robinson, H & J Jones, Daphne Brown and Helen Marshall. We were also blessed with a donation from Tom Mitchell and Hazel Gorman in honor of Scott Mitchell. Here are a list of the events being held at out Church: Church Notice Board Date Time Location Event April 4th!0:00am to 12noon Grounds and Garden Easter Egg Hunt April 5th 9:00am to 10:30 am Fellowship Hall Easter Brunch served by Deacons April 18th 9:00am to 9:00p Fellowship Hall Mystic Krewe Art Show & Auction April 23rd to 25th 9:00am to 9:00pm Fellowship Hall African Violets Plant Sale June 20th 8:00am to 2:00pm Fellowship Hall Summer Sale June 27th 8:00am to 2:00pm Fellowship Hall Reduced price Sale October 3rd & 4th 4:00pm to 7:00pm Sanctuary Proposed date for wedding October 8th 7:00am to 7:00pm Fellowship Hall City Municipal Elections October 24th 6:00pm to 9:00pm Fellowship Hall Autumn Evening November 3rd 7:00am to 7:00pm Fellowship Hall City Runoff Election if required. The schedule above represents the times the facilities have been booked. For the times of the actual events please contact the organizers.

3 Property and Grounds It has been an eventful month for the Church. With the thawing of the snow at the start of the month the leaky and previously patched flat roof over the Gymnasium delivered gallons of brown bitumen stained water onto the basketball court floor. Estimates are being obtained for either the patching of the roof or the replacement of the roof covering. Patching can be achieved for under $2000 but may only buy a few years, however a full replacement is well above our present financial capabilities. The same snow melt disclosed further leaking in the Sanctuary roof though subsequent heavy rain did not come through. This ongoing problem will be the subject of a further survey. Then we have the vandalism to the stained glass in the Sanctuary. Estimates for repair have been obtained and are being considered though has been pointed out to us, by one of the specialists, that all the stained glass windows are in need of resetting and sealing. This apparently should be done every 20 years but appears to be well overdue! Earlier in the month we were blessed with a wedding in our Sanctuary. The weather was terrible with about 6 of snow on the ground for the day of the rehearsal. However with a great effort from all concerned the paths were cleared the church was decorated and the ceremony went off without a hitch. Our thanks must particularly go out to our janitor, John Rainey and our Board Chairman, Mark Rutledge, both seen here clearing snow, and to our Wedding Coordinator, Connie Bennett, for organizing the event in the face of these difficulties. it Some of the water damage in the Sanctuary John Rainey preparing the Sanctuary for the Wedding Water stains on the basketball court floor.

4 Compassion Clinic As a Church congregation we have committed ourselves to support the wonderful work done by John and Judy Lang at their Compassion Clinic where they provide a free medical clinic, of all-volunteer staff, every Tuesday night 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Doctors and nurses treat minor adult and childhood illnesses, help find doctors to treat chronic illnesses, and provide health education. Last year about 15 members of our congregation attended their Taste of Compassion fund raiser and many of us donated silent auction items. Please help this marvelous cause and these amazing people.

5 DWM During March the DWM arranged the collection of food for the Grace Saint Luke s Food Pantry. This month s collection proved better than ever not only due to our own Church members but also to the tremendous contribution from the African Violets Society. Our sincere thanks goes out to all who contributed. The pictures below show just some of the food collected for Grace Saint Luke s and John Rainey delivering the groceries to the food pantry. On March 28th the DWM opened the church doors for the free Clothes Closet. There are so many families in need of clothing and thanks to the clothing donations, most of them anonymously left at our Church, we were able to help about 60 people. Our gratitude goes to all who donate clothing and to those who give their time to assist in setting up the Closet and help people find the clothing they need. The next Luncheon hosted by the DWM will be on Sunday April 12th. Special Collections The Easter Offering of the Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) supports the general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) the Church in the world! Your financial gifts help sustain the missional outreach of ministries that faithfully serve individuals and communities around the world. Your gifts make a difference, so please generously support this year s Easter Offering as we seek to walk with others in God s abundance.

6 Building from the Board The following is a summary of the Minutes of the Board Meeting held on March 19th: Mark Rutledge, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m., and led the opening prayer. Minutes: The Minutes for the February Meeting were read and approved. Minister s Report: Pastor Bill Russell reported that Deacon Williams of Immaculate Conception Cathedral will soon be with us. On March 25, 2015 Rabbi David Julian will walk us through a Seder Dinner a Jewish Passover tradition. Kingsway Christian Church will host a dinner at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday April 2nd. followed by a Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 p.m.. Treasurer s Report: John Bennett delivered the report on the February accounts. These disclose a surplus of $4958 due to a generous donation to our Building fund of $5000. Other income of $6378 was below budget as were expenses at $6420. The Elders Report : Carol Scarberry summarized the Elders Meeting, held earlier in the day at at 6:30 p.m. The Maundy Thursday service was discussed as were the arrangements regarding flowers for Easter Sunday. Diaconate Report: A report was delivered on behalf of Randy Pennington, which included reference to a general clean-up of Walker Hall and kitchen by the Deacons to be carried out in the next few weeks. Disciple Women s Ministry: Linda Johnson stated the DWN hosted a luncheon on Sunday, March 8th, with a presentation by John Johnson on Reading Food Labels. The Church Summer Sale has been set for June 20th and the ½ Price Sale to be the following June 27th,. Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church will host the annual Spiritual Journey and we will have a minimum of 8 members attending. Building and Grounds Report: Wesley Goodnight reported that as part of the clean up in the Walker Hall the old Coke machine has been removed. The Deacons will to do the work approved in Walker hall such as redecorate the walls and replace some ceiling tiles. The floor will then be scrubbed and waxed and a new air conditioning unit will be purchased. It was also reported that the original Stained Glass windows in the Sanctuary were damaged by vandalism. John Bennett stated that a Police Report had been filed, that estimates are being obtained and the insurance company was notified. Wesley reviewed the condition of the roof over the Gymnasium. He passed around pictures taken of 4 holes in roof (roof is steel deck with gravel and tar). He stated that the roof is leaking in many areas. The building cannot take the weight of an additional roof since it already has several layers. Repairs of patch and caulk will need to be made as soon as possible at a cost of $1322. New roof estimate is $67,000. One roof drain is now clogged. Wesley Goodnight recommended the Church spend $1500 to seal roof and clear drain and, after discussion this was approved but with an increased budget of $2000. Various Ministry team reports were presented and with there being no new business, the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted Jennifer Stevens Board Secretary Palm Sunday In accordance with tradition the congregation entered the Church in procession on Palm Sunday, waving palm fronds, praising the Lord and shouting Hosanna.

7 Wednesday Night Dinner and Program During March we continued our series on What do Our Neighbors Believe with Dennis Neenan of Methodist Senior Ministries giving a presentation entitled Entirement. Deacon Frank Williams, of Immaculate Conception Catholic Cathedral, took us through the Stations of the Cross in anticipation of Holy Week. The last presentation in March, but certainly not the least, was given by Rabbi David Julian who took us through a Passover Seder. This is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. He handed out copies of a Haggadah, a Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder. David was dressed in a white robe, called a Kittel, and we were each given a plate of the traditional ritual food. Finally he led us in singing songs in Hebrew. What an amazing, and enlightening, evening. April Fellowship Schedule

8 C E N T R A L C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H C E L E B R A T I N G O V E R 9 0 Y E A R S O F M I N I S T R Y I N M I D T O W N M E M P H I S 531 S. McLean at Peabody, Memphis, TN O F F I C E : W W W. C C C M E M P H I S T N. O R G C E N T R A L C H R I S T I A C C C M E M P H I S T N. O R G This Month at Central Wednesday 1st No Dinner or Program Thursday 2nd 6:30pm Dinner at Kingsway Christian Church 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service Easter Sunday 5th 9:45 am Bible Class 10:45 am Worship Service 12:00 noon Fellowship Wednesday 8th 6:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Bible Study Sunday 12th 9:45 am Bible Class 10:45 am Worship Service 12:00 noon DWM Luncheon Wednesday 15th 6:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Bible Study Sunday 19th 19:45 am Bible Class 10:45 am Worship Service 12:00 noon Fellowship Wednesday 22nd 6:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Bible Study Sunday 26th 9:45 am Bible Class 10:45 am Worship Service 12:00 noon Fellowship Wednesday 29th 6:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Bible Study Worship Leader: John Bennett Loaf: Kathy Young Cup: George Goodnight Liturgical Color: White Dinner: Debra Goodnight Worship Leader: Daphne Brown Loaf: Kathy Carol Scarberry Cup: John Bennett Liturgical Color: White Dinner: Daphne Brown/Pat Hammond Worship Leader: Kathy Young Loaf: Mark Rutledge Cup: Daphne Brown Fellowship: John Rainey Liturgical Color: White Dinner: Carol Scarberry/Katrinka Hall Worship Leader: John Rainey Loaf: Kathy Young Cup: Debra Goodnight Fellowship: Mary Artman Liturgical Color: White Dinner: Linda Johnson/Katrinka Hall Church Calendar for April 4th Easter Egg Hunt 7th Compassion Clinic Silent Auction 16th Elders and Board Meetings 18th Mystic Krewe Art Auction 25th African Violets Plant Show and Sale 25th Clothes Closet Birthdays 4th Floyd Scarberry 6th Richard Brown 21st Rob Artman